Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

The majority of infant car seats disengage from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transportation. This makes them popular with parents who are planning to travel frequently outside of the city.

No matter which car seat you pick, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their hips and shoulders. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have an open rear position) are designed to support infants and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats are typically equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortable in the shell of the seat.

The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child ride rear-facing even longer, up to about age 4 or 5.

The majority of car seats have the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted to keep the baby's back from sliding forward when the vehicle slows down. You can refer to the manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer. It's also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothes, like blankets and coats, because they can prevent the snug fit of the harness and cut off airflow around your infant's chest and neck.

Many parents are hesitant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing as they are concerned that the force of a crash could cause the baby to lose their legs and feet, or that their head and neck might be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. But, it's important to remember that the rear-facing position offers much greater protection than the forward-facing one.

A video posted by a car seat influencer shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed in a crash simulation. The head injury that occurs is terrifying. The video of the same accident from the seat facing rearward is not as bad because the child's head is being held by the shell.

If your state requires that you face your child forward, don't do it. This is not in accordance with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants. Harnesses are used to secure them to the seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents will be in a position to adjust the angle of recline and headrest to suit their child's needs, as well as choose from several attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seat Newborn car seats have a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow these seats before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

It's understandable for parents to want to turn their lightweight baby car seat around as soon as they can however the current norm requires that children under one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by a rear-end collision, which occurs when a child turns forward in the event of an accident.

If a baby's neck gets moved forward in an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backward in the car the neck bones remain together and are protected by the straps that secure the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.

Rear-facing infants are also less likely to end up in the back of the car during an accident. In the event of a collision they're less likely to get injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests, instead of their necks.

Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat for their size. Refer to the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit a reputable car seat technician in your local area to get expert advice and assistance.

When a baby grows out of their car seat, they can upgrade to a convertible car seat. These seats start in the rear-facing mode and switch to forward-facing when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat using a a lap-sash adult seatbelt when they've reached the recommended age and weight.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have advantages however which one is the best car seats infant choice for your family? A car seat for infants is great for newborns, but if you want something that will last several years then a convertible may be more suitable.

Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. They are able to accommodate kids from infancy through the end of elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, allowing them to last longer.

If you choose to purchase convertible infant car seats Be sure to verify whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These paddings raise the cheap infant car seats's torso, so they can reach the lowest strap slots, and it pushes them forward a bit to prevent their head from sliding back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia).

Some infant car seats have a handle that makes it easier to move between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, forming a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer your car to a stroller, without having to wake your baby.

Eventually, though your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants or reach their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree that it's the right time to move to a convertible seat when their head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but make sure to refer to your seat's manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.

Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than infant car seats at first however, they could be less expensive over time due to the fact that you can use them for many years. Some models also have lower anchors, which allows for a simpler installation. This could help reduce the risk of injuries in an accident.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the first thing to think about when buying infant car seats. All car seats for infants are required to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with additional security.

High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is maintained. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force in an accident, are also available.

Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat will help you determine the safety of the product prior to purchasing. However it is important to remember that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seat is how it's used. According to our discussions, the majority of accidents involving infant car seats are the result of improper use, either through improper installation or inadequate restraints of the child.

If you'd like to be certain that you're using your infant car seat correctly then look for one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction guide, lots of indicators that the seat is level and secure and bubbles at the bottom that will show you EXACTLY the best way to place it. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indicator.

Finally, when you're out and about with your infant in a car seat, do not leave the car seat unattended, even if you're just going to the store or a quick trip to the park. It's not just dangerous in a car crash and leaving your infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could also hit and injure infants or, even more dangerously, suffocate them.

You will need a booster car seat at some point. Consider a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money in the long run. These seats provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.